First and foremost, you want a good, sound contract which releases you from any and all liability when it comes to illness and accidents. Also include a clause about rude horses...you don't want to be bound to a contract if you end up with a bully in the mix. Something else is to have them be responsible if their horse damages or injures anyone or anything...like people, fences, or barn walls, etc...

Second, how much are your brome bales? If you are feeding 3 flakes twice a day (6 flakes seems like a lot of hay...usually two is enough when supplemented with grain)...that is about 8-10 bales per month? (not sure if my math is correct or if my flake size is different from yours). I pay about 2.25 for a nice lespedeza blend...the horses seem to really like it. If you are paying more than that, consider that in your price.

The owner should be responsible for all additional work associated with the horse (deworming and ferrier attention) and the occasional veterinary attention. Again, if you decide to take this on, make sure you include a clause that you and/or the vet/ferrier are not liable for ANYTHING that might occur.

I would set your base winter boarding fee at 150/mo. then add for hay expenses, grain expenses, your additional time (if you choose to do that).
I would think that your monthly winter boarding fees should not be less than 200 dollars...and summer 150 (no hay, less grain). I don't feed any grain or hay in the summer months...they do great on grass only. I do give treats of grain, but not regularly. This also prevents a bit of the "barn sours" :o).

Sorry, but I really don't get the "discount" for additional horses...that is quite a bit of additional work/responsibility for you. Do you know her well? Stand firm on whatever fees you decide on. She will most likely pay it.

I have included a great sample contract that you might get some other ideas from...it is in a .pdf format (Adobe Acrobat Reader...should be universal), e-mail me if you have trouble downloading it. Once you have a contract written up and finalized, have a lawyer friend check it over for you.

Hope that helps! What part of the midwest are you from?

Here is a link that might be useful: Good example of a boarding contract

I have no suggestions on what you should charge for pasture board, but I would suggest you contact your insurance agent to find out the implications and/or cost of insurance for boarding horses. Even though you should have your "no liability" spelled out in the boarding contract, that does not stop the boarder from sueing you when their horse runs through the fence or one of the other things horses do that can injure them.

You absolutey MUST discuss this with your insurance company before proceeding. Care, custody & control insurance is NOT cheap, and if you don't carry it, there's a very good probability your home or farm insurance policy will be cancelled. Although a correctly written and executed boarding contract is essential, it will NOT protect you from liability claims in a court of law. You WILL be held legally responsible for any damages to or by any animals under your personal care and control.

It sounds like you are considering boarding outside horses at a facility that is largely unattended during the day. VERY RISKY BUSINESS!!! I'd think long and hard about the liability issues, if I were you.

Laurie

Thank you for your replies.

Actually I work out of my home and my office is in a corner with floor to ceiling windows facing the barn and pastures. I can see the horses almost all the time. My problem is more that I do not have a worker here to help. Just caring for my own horse is pleasurable. I don't want to add so much work that it truly becomes a chore. If I do need to do the extras for the owners, do I charge them for it? Currently I do all the barn chores, chipping ice and carrying fresh water every morning (until the underground waterer is installed--it's sitting in the driveway waiting for the ice to melt so the plumber can get the line installed).

I added farm liability and a million dollar umbrella this morning to my insurance. My agent said if one of the horses went through a fence and negligence was proved on my part, I would be covered. He said if a horse kicked or injured a person coming onto my property I was covered. He asked what the income would be from boarding and charged me accordingly. It was not that expensive, less than $500 per year and my own horses are now covered in case they go through the fence and injure another person or a person's property.

I will double check the care, custody and control policy.

I pay $3.75 per bale of brome. I feed Strategy which I think is about $8 per bag. The wormer runs $14 for Quest or $7 for Ivermectin.

Thanks for your input.

KCF

In that case, your best strategy for setting your pricing structure is to call around to all of the boarding facilities in your area and see what they charge for pasture board. Don't forget to ask exactly which services, supplies, and facilities are included in the boarding fee and which supplemental costs are expected to be paid by the boarder. That will give you a clear idea of the boarding market in your specific area so that you can set a competitive pricing structure for your own enterprise.

Good luck!

I would make sure to put some sort of clause in there in case the hay prices happen to go up (as they have been here lately) I would charge for any worming and I would just put it in there that you are going to do it and do it at the same time as you do yours, that way you are not having to worry about them coming out and getting it done.
you are right on the enjoyment part of it though, do not get too many that it becomes a 'chore' and you also do not want too many on your grass or you won't have any.

Is there shelter areas for the horses to get out of the elements?

As webkat has said, do charge for your time and services. My DS will soon be setting up an arena/boarding facility and the one he now boards at lists in the contract exactly what is included in the monthly charge. Turn out is extra (all horses are stalled) and the charge is $25 just to turn the horse out to pasture for an hour. There's hired help at the barn, but the farrier usually halters and handles the horse, unless it's a 'problem' horse and he requests the owners be there.

Definitely ask around at other farms/boarding facilities. Most are happy to share info with you and what their expenses are.

Before going any further, do as suggested above and talk to your insurance agent. Mine absolutely refused to allow me to board anyone's horses. They told me to find another insurance if I wished to make it a commercial facility.
After talking with the agent and getting his input I decided against.

If you procede the increased ins rates will have to be factored in to the rate you charge. Also take into consideration the cost of your electricity for tank heaters, and the time it takes you to feed additional horses. Good luck.